Superheroes come in many forms.When Russellville police officer Michael Nuckols’ 4-year-old son, Carter, was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant brain tumor on March 16, Nuckols discovered just how many of them were also mild-mannered police officers.

“Everyone at the police department is trying to come up with ways to raise money for the family,” fellow officer, Tammy Marcoe said. “We just couldn’t believe this would happen to an innocent little baby.”

Officers quickly put together a dunk-a-cop fund raiser on April 13 to help the Nuckols family raise money to cover medical costs — but because those medical costs grow higher and higher each day, there was more that needed to be done.

That’s when an idea occurred to Arkansas State Trooper Brenda Stephenson. Having just completed her first half marathon, Stephenson wanted to host a race to further aid the Nuckols family.

Not just any race — a superhero race. That is, a 5k where the participants dress up as their favorite comic book, television and movie superheroes.

“Because Carter loves superheroes so much,” Stephenson explained. “And I know people love to dress for these races.”

While Stephenson spawned the idea, much of the organizing has been done by Marcoe. Several other Russellville Police Department employees and officer’s wives have stepped up to the plate to make Carter’s Heroes a reality. Besides Stephenson and Marcoe, other organizers include Ashley Hobby, Tiffanie Ward, Brandie Daniel and Jaimei Keys. The group came together to support the Nuckols family for one simple reason: they think of them as family.

“We’re all family in blue,” Stephenson said. “A law enforcement officer anywhere is my brother. They’re family, and that goes for their husbands, their wives and their kids. It’s a good family to have.”

If he is feeling up to it, Carter should be in attendance and according to the group, he will be ecstatic to see so many of his favorite heroes in full, crime-fighting regalia and to know that they are there for one reason — to support him.

The Fraternal Order of Police have agreed to sponsor the Super Hero 5k, and the group has hopes they will cover the cost of the event so that all proceeds can go directly to the Nuckols family.

“We’re going through them because we wanted an organization so that people know that it’s more than just two people throwing together a race,” Marcoe said.

The group is hoping to raise $10,000 to put toward furthering Carter’s treatments and improve his quality of life. At $20 per entry, the 5k will have to host 500 racers to meet its goal.